HND Social Sciences Foundation degree at UHI
HND Social Sciences at UHI. The University of the Highlands and Islands is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, so your qualification will be nationally recognised.
About this course
HND Social Sciences is a Foundation degree (HND) at UHI, based in UHI Inverness. It runs 2 years, studied full-time.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Sociology & Social Sciences, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 2 - HND 10 modules
- An investigation into the social sciencesCore
- CriminologyCore
- Graded unit 2Core
- Graded unit 3Core
- History CCore
- Politics CCore
- Politics DCore
- Psychology DCore
- Sociology CCore
- Sociology DCore
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
You'll study social structures, inequality and how societies respond to problems like crime, poverty and injustice. A course like this usually moves from foundational sociology, examining class, gender and race, to research methods grounded in interviews, surveys and ethics. In your second year, you'll encounter social theory from classical thinkers onwards, then move into specialist areas such as criminology, social policy, gender and identity, migration, or social work routes. Research methods deepen with quantitative and qualitative analysis of real data. The course typically concludes with a final project of your own research, drawing on what you've learned to investigate a live social question.
Who it's for
This course suits those seeking a two-year pathway into social sciences study. It's designed for learners who want to develop both theoretical understanding and practical skills before moving into specialist degree programmes or the workplace. The course structure supports independent learning through its project component and builds professional capabilities alongside academic knowledge.
Careers & job market
Across sociology and social sciences courses nationally, 85% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of completing their qualification. Of those working, 55% are in highly skilled roles or undertaking further study. National graduate earnings data shows starting salaries typically range from £23,000 to £30,000 at 15 months; after three years, £20,400 to £28,800; and after five years, £24,650 to £34,800. These figures reflect national outcomes for the field. Check the university's funding pages for bursaries and scholarships.
University & format
This HND Social Sciences is taught full-time over 2 years at UHI Inverness, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands. Instruction is in English. The University of the Highlands and Islands is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, so your award, a foundation degree (HND mark), is nationally recognised.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Entry & how to get in
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
UHI publishes tuition by domicile, award level, study mode and delivery. Use the individual course page for the exact year-by-year fee.
Published UHI fee framework
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Careers & earnings
What Sociology & Social Sciences graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 years after | £18,500 | £13,500 – £23,000 | 70 |
| 5 years after | £21,500 | £15,500 – £28,000 | 135 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Published threshold met. Sample size is not included in this snapshot.
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in sociology & social sciences · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Sociology & Social Sciences nationally
National figures for Sociology & Social Sciences graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Sociology & Social Sciences courses at the same study level.
Compared with 751 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
Job market & outlook
How Sociology & Social Sciences graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Sociology & Social Sciences graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Local authorities
- Charities & NGOs
- Research organisations
- Government & universities
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Sociology & Social Sciences graduates.
Sociology AdjunctCommonwealth Of VirginiaSociology ECT - High-Achieving Secondary School in BrightonMarchant RecruitmentHead of Psychology and SociologyTeacherActiveWho studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University of the Highlands and Islands
Social sciences across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Is Sociology & Social Sciences right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
Related courses
More at UHI
Sociology & Social Sciences at other universities
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates earn?
What will it cost me?
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